There’s something about Easter Candy that I find irresistibly attractive. Like a candy siren, I cannot help be pulled in by whatever colorful design trick the package may be pulling on me. Chocolate rabbits stare at my from shelves whispering “buy me” as I walk past them. Despite the huge array of really respectable, and tasty candy I can find in stores, there’s always that call to try something, well, nasty. In 2007 I reviewed Brach’s Chicks and Bunnies which are like the rejects of the Circus peanuts. In 2008 my fancy was caught by these odd, large, brightly colored eggs, Brach’s Bunny Basket Eggs to be more specific. That selection was part fascination, as I’ve never encountered something like them before. This year, I found Atkinson’s version of the Bunny Basket Eggs. Which are very appropriately named “Hiding Eggs”.

Opening the bag I did notice that each egg is individually wrapped, which I think suggests they’re more meant for hiding for an Easter egg hunt than for eating. That’s the first warning sign I neglected to pay attention to. Secondly, these don’t feel nearly as heavy as the Brach’s ones did. The differences end there.

The eggs are smooth and the color is very saturated. The shell is thick for a candy shell, it’s like 1/8 of an inch, and it’s very hard and crumbly. Once you crack through, the insides are fluffy and grainy, like a mix of marshmallow and nougat. The flavor is horribly sweet and artificial. I selected a pink egg and I took a small bite and got a mouth full of bubblegum. Despite my instincts, I then took a bite of a green one and my taste buds were flooded with a bitter floor cleaning lime flavor. Eee-yuck.

I gave up after that. I couldn’t take more of this self torture. So bad I wish they were an April Fool’s joke. I am tempted to use them for their intended purpose and save them for photos in the fresh spring green grass.